School Lunches: 18 Of The Best Lunchboxes And Snacks To Make Your Child Happy

Start the new school year in an organized fashion when it comes to school lunches. Get the kiddos set up with adorable lunch boxes, healthy snacks, stylish lunch totes, and reusable plastic storage bags. We have super functional lunch boxes that will make it easier (and faster) to pack school lunches. In addition, the roomy interior and insulating properties will keep your kiddo’s lunches hot or cold, depending on the food item. There are also plastic storage bags so you can keep leftovers fresh longer and keep the kids’ lunches in pristine condition. There is something here for everyone, so get ready to go shopping!

School Lunches Made Easy

Minimal Bottle

School Lunches: 18 Of The Best Lunchboxes And Snacks To Make Your Child Happy

Preparing to return to school is always an exciting time, between the new clothing and new books, the excitement causes a buzz that’s unlike any other. What if you could get excited about your lunch gear, not only because it’s new and exciting, but because it’s ethically produced and keeps mother earth happy? Minimal Bottle features school lunches accessories that are a must for any busy family who likes to take care of the environment in a variety of ways, and this school year, our lunch bags are going to be filled with products that make a difference.

For example, the Minimal Silicone Bento Lunch Box is not only freezer, oven, microwave, and dishwasher safe, but it is lightweight, unbreakable, and perfect for any type of lunch! This air-tight design keeps food where you want it, preventing spills and undesired food combinations. Available in three colors, this silicone bento box boasts a wide range of temperature resistance, so its journey from the freezer to the lunch box to the microwave won’t cause it to warp or break. Harmful chemicals and wasteful plastics have no place in school lunches!

Skip the single-use plastic water bottles. Not only are they wasteful, but they leak and lose temperature quickly. The Stainless Steel Insulated Flask is leak-proof and highly durable. Whether it’s tossed in a lunchbox or accompanies your child to basketball practice, this bottle is the perfect hydration companion for your new school year. The easy-grab handle makes transporting your beverage easy and the double-wall vacuum insulation keeps your beverage just how you like it.

Additionally, the wide mouth makes cleaning a much more simple task than traditional insulated drink containers. Speed up the sipping with the Minimal Insulated Flask Sports Cap. Even the smallest hands can use this sports cap to quickly quench thirst and get back to learning in a snap!

This year, keep your child’s school lunches clean and green with Minimal Bottle.

Stojo

When packing school lunches it’s important to stock up on new lunchboxes and lunch containers and add Stojo to your list. We are blown away by the innovation and efficiency of these drink and storage items! Stojo is a collection of reusable and collapsible cups, water bottles, and bowls in a variety of colors and sizes. These products are perfect for back-to-school lunches. All items are lightweight and collapse down, making them easy to throw into a backpack when you are done using them and then have them ready to access when you need them again, all while saving valuable space.

The Sustainable Starter Bundle gives you the essentials including the 20 oz. sports bottle, the 16 oz. cup and a 36 oz. bowl. Made from certified silicone, every item is free from toxic materials and is dishwasher safe. The thoughtful design makes them unbreakable and leakproof and you are able to enjoy your favorite foods and beverages regardless of temperature. Grab cups for the whole family with the 16 oz. Cup 4-Pack that also includes a straw and will fit in all cupholders.

Arctic Zone

Ready to start packing school lunches again, mamas? No worries! With Arctic Zone, this once-dreaded task will soon become a breeze! The Arctic Zone® High-Performance Ultimate Upright Expandable Lunch Pack is the perfect companion on your little (or big!) one’s first day back. With its sleek styling and dark fabric with bold contrasting zippers, it’s a great choice for kids of all ages, as well as adults.

This versatile pack includes a two-piece leak-proof container, SuperFoam® insulation with Therma-Flect® radiant barrier, and a high-performance ice pack to keep food cold for hours. When you’re extra hungry, the expandable zipper unzips to create double the capacity, so you’ll easily fit in a meal, snacks, and drinks to last all day.

When mom or dad are headed back into the office, or even to a sports tournament on a Saturday morning, an Arctic Zone® High-Performance Meal Prep Day Pack is essential. The eight-piece BPA-free plastic connectable food container set stores food for multiple meals, or multiple people. Meal prep your heart out and ensure you’re eating nutritious, quality school lunches this year.

The included Ice Brick™ snaps to containers, keeping the cold directly where you need it most. You can even load the outside of the lunchbox up with non-perishables, in the exterior zippered pocket or two mesh pockets. Turn to Arctic Zone this back-to-school season to simplify daily lunches and daily meal prep!

SHOP:
Arctic Zone® High-Performance Ultimate Upright Expandable Lunch Pack | Arctic Zone® High-Performance Meal Prep Day Pack
EXPLORE AND CONNECT:
Arctic Zone | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

mDesign

Getting your refrigerator and pantry organized and neat will make your life so much easier when heading back to school. Whether you are making school lunches or meal prepping for dinner, having all of your groceries in a dedicated spot will simplify the process. mDesign has all of the products you need to turn a messy pantry or refrigerator into the food storage area of your dreams. The Skinny Can Dispenser makes storing drinks or canned goods easier and more convenient. Both refrigerator and freezer safe, these containers will not only keep your canned items contained but also dispense in an efficient manner.

A variety of bins to hold different sized and shaped items are perfect for your organizational needs. The 4-Section Bin is ideal for kitchen cabinets and pantry shelves, but also great for storage throughout the home. The 4 large sections make it was to separate and organize items. The Stackable Bin with Handles has built-in, easy-grip side handles that make it easy to transport from shelf to table or island. Made of durable shatter-resistant plastic, these are the perfect depth for lower cabinets and deep pantry shelves as well as inside the fridge or freezer

Twelve Little

Twelve Little is ready to load up the books and goodies for the first day of school with their Adventure Kids Backpack Bundle in Black. The backpack is large enough to fit all of their necessary supplies and their books while the reversible sequins patch keeps fidgeting fingers busy. This bundle also includes a must-have lunch bag. The water-resistant exterior of the lunch bag keeps it looking fresh and clean while the easy-to-clean interior keeps cleaning up after messy school lunches a breeze. Packing school lunches just got a lot easier.

Wear with the long strap as a cross-body for outdoor picnics or field trips, or take the strap off and simply use the handles for a walk to the lunchroom. A fully-insulated interior will keep their meal at the proper temperature all day, whether it’s hot or cold, and even provides extra pockets to store their lunch accessories, extra snacks, or sweet love notes from mom. With Twelve Little, your little love can enjoy their school lunches in style.

SHOP:
Adventure Kids Backpack Bundle in Black
EXPLORE AND CONNECT:
Twelve Little | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Pinterest

Smelly Proof Bags

Perfect for packing school lunches for your little ones, Smelly Proof reusable bags should be on the top of your back-to-school list. These reusable bags utilize a multi-track zipper that seals in freshness and creates a 100% odor-proof barrier. FDA-approved and eco-conscious, the Smelly Proof bags are ideal for kid’s lunchboxes to hold sandwiches, dry snacks, and fruit or vegetables! Whether you’re cooking in the kitchen or grilling in the backyard, Smelly Proof can be used to soak meats ahead of time, prep chopped ingredients, or store leftovers.

The Smelly Proof bags come in a variety of sizes and are liquid, moisture, and puncture-resistant. The Mega Bundle is great for a large family and includes 55 Smelly Proof bags in a variety of sizes:

5 2-gallon bags
10-gallon bags
10 stand-up quart bags
10-quart bags
10 sandwich bags
10 snack bags

SHOP:
Mega Bundles
EXPLORE AND CONNECT:
Smelly Proof Bags | Facebook| Instagram | YouTube

FunKins

What better way to show your love for the planet than with a trendy and adorable lunch bag? Of course, your preschooler will love The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ Planet Lunch Bag, but fans of the beloved Eric Carle book will love the bag no matter what their age. The retro-style tan bag with blue trim features the caterpillar crawling on the Earth. The bag says, “Love Your Planet. The insulated lunch bag features a detachable shoulder strap, with an easily wipeable interior, as well as a mesh pocket so your child can have the best school lunches!

Pair the bag with the double-play reusable cloth napkins featuring the bright images from Eric Carle’s book. The caterpillars seem to dance across the napkins. There are three different cloth napkin sets that boast The Very Hungry Caterpillar, along with “Berries,” “Citrus,” or the “Caterpillars” by themselves. The napkins have a sewn-in label to write your child’s name.

Be sure to get The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ Sticky Notes, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ Peel & Stick Labels to bring miles of smiles to your kiddos during their school lunches this year. The sticky notes and peel/stick labels let you write and decorate notes for your child each day throughout the school year. Tickle their funny bone by sending a joke to share with their friends each day in their school lunches.

RIND Snacks

The kids are heading back to school, so it’s time to pack school lunches. If you want to pack snacks that are not only healthy but enticing as well, try RIND Snacks with no added sugar and no additives, just natural dried fruits with their natural skin. RIND Snacks are vegan, Kosher, Paleo & Non-GMO, providing you with a combination of chewy & crispy whole fruit snacks packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, extra fiber, and great taste that your kids won’t get enough of. With the Chewy & Chips Variety Pack, you’ll have a variety of snack-friendly pouches for on-the-go convenience, school lunches, and after-school snacks.

This mouthwatering variety pack includes:

2 Bags of Kiwi Chips

Dried Kiwis

2 Bags of Apple Chips

Dried Apples.

2 Bags of Orange Chips

Dried Oranges

2 Bags of Straw-Peary

Dried Pears, Dried Red Apples, Dried Strawberries

2 Bags of Coco-Melon

Sweet Watermelon, Sweet Organic Coconut.

1 Bag of Tropical

Dried Tangy Kiwis, Dried Organic Pineapples, Dried Bittersweet Oranges

1 Bag of Orchard

Dried Tangy Peaches, Dried Red Apples, Dried Persimmons

RIND healthy snacks make packing school lunches a lot easier. However, your child will keep asking if they can eat the snacks on the weekend. In that case, purchase their affordable VIP service, so you never run out of healthy Rind Snacks.

SHOP:
Chewy & Chips Variety 12-Pack
EXPLORE AND CONNECT:
RIND Snacks | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

TAKEYA

Back to school means back to sports and extracurricular activities. The TAKEYA 40-ounce Actives Insulated Water Bottle with Spout Lid will keep your student hydrated for class, sports, or after-school clubs. The water bottles feature a leak-proof Insulated Spout Lid™ so they can be tossed in backpacks without the worry of spills, and are perfect to complement their school lunches. The vacuum insulation keeps drinks cold, while the double-wall design keeps the outside of the bottles sweat-free.

The TAKEYA Actives Insulated Water Bottle with Spout Lid™ comes in 11 colors and six sizes ranging from 18 ounces to 64 ounces. The 24-ounce size is a convenient size that fits in most cup holders. Perhaps, the most amazing is that most of the TAKEYA Actives Insulated Water Bottles are dishwasher safe. (The painted bottles, brushed stainless steel, rose gold, and slate bottles are not dishwasher safe.) Your student can enjoy pre-workout drinks or protein shakes or water without flavor transfers.

Bee Kind

Keeping your food or leftovers fresh and long-lasting can be a challenge that typically comes with a price tag. We use tons of plastic wrap that is not reusable and is very wasteful and harmful to the environment. Replace wasteful plastic wrap and baggies with Bee Kind Beeswax Wraps. The popular variety-size vegan wax wrap set is the way to go to utilize several different sized wraps. This set includes a 6″ small square, a 6″ medium square, and a 12″ large square.

The Beeswax Wraps can be washed and reused for a year or more so you can use them to store school lunches. Made with soy wax, candelilla wave, damar resin, and cotton fabric, these wraps are 100% compostable. Featuring vibrant, hand-painted designs, these wraps are a must for every low-waste kitchen.

SHOP:
Food Wraps
EXPLORE AND CONNECT:
Bee Kind | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

Posh Peanut

Keep your peanut’s snacks and drinks fresh until break time with a new bag for their school lunches! Starting off the new school year with a new lunchbox is not only important but smart. Lunchboxes from the previous school year may hold bacteria and bugs from food remnants so a new, clean lunchbox is a must-have. With a roomy interior for all of their favorites, the water-resistant and insulated lining makes any accidental spills a breeze to clean. These lunch bags from Posh Peanut come with a front pocket with a hidden zipper for extra storage and an external name tag holder for quick identification. Accompany your child’s new lunchbox with a matching Posh Peanut backpack!

GoSili

Are you looking for cute and reliable cups for your children? Your search has come to an end. The Gosili’s cups for kids are designed to meet a variety of needs and occasions of your kids and are safe to use. If you prefer straw-free cups, this Cup with Sippy Spout Lid is ideal. The small opening allows your child to take sips of the drink inside without opening the lid. It is also great for taking with you when going back and forth to school. The no-spill cup is made especially for your toddlers. The practical 360-opening cap of the cup allows your child to drink from any side and it is lightweight and easy to clean.

The best part about these GoSili silicon cups is that they contain no plastic, and are the perfect size for your child’s hands. This soft purple Reusable Silicone cup is made of eco-friendly material and includes a straw so they won’t feel left out at the dinner table with the adult. Parents can also feel good about it being spill-proof!

Wrapmaster Home

Wrapmaster is the innovative device that makes lunch-making and meal prepping hassle-free during the back-to-school rush! This universal kitchen wrap dispenser helps declutter drawers and makes the dispensing of plastic wrap, aluminum foil, wax paper, and baking paper easier than ever so you can get those school lunches ready in a snap. No more fighting to find the end of the roll or tangled and wasted wrap, the Wrapmaster cuts with a single press using a concealed stainless steel blade for safe and efficient use. Wrapmaster Home is dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean and sanitize and it comes in a variety of colors to suit any home kitchen.

SHOP:
Wrapmaster
EXPLORE AND CONNECT:
Wrapmaster Home | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

Wiley Wallaby

When your kids are craving something sweet in their lunchbox but you want to avoid packing candy, look to a healthy alternative with Wiley Wallaby. Wiley Wallaby Candy is the best soft and chewy licorice on the market and is perfect for school lunches. Fat-free and flavor-packed, Wiley offers a snack that is as healthy as it is tasty. This licorice is packed so full of flavor, yet uses less sugar and absolutely no dairy, fat, or high fructose corn syrup. Classic licorice flavors like red and black are always a loyal choice but Wiley expanded these options to also include some other mouth-watering flavors like green apple, huckleberry, and blueberry pomegranate.

SHOP:
Licorice
EXPLORE AND CONNECT:
Wiley Wallaby | Facebook | Instagram

ePromos

ePromos makes back-to-school shopping easy and painless with over 15,000 products on their user-friendly website. With ePromos, you are sure to find what you need to make your school year memorable and productive.

While at school, students can complete their lunch pail with the Thermos® Stainless King™ Custom Food Jar. With its double-wall stainless steel construction, this handy food jar keeps food cool for up to 14 hours and hot for up to 9 hours. In addition, this special jar stays cool to the touch with cold liquids and is sweat-proof with hot beverages.

Its wide-mouth design makes it easy to fill and clean, and it comes with a folding stainless steel spoon that fits effortlessly into the lid. It’s the perfect container for soup, chicken salad, and other healthy meals for school lunches! ePromos is your one-stop shop that offers thousands of unique everyday products that will make the transition to school easy.

MyBevi

With children heading back to school, why not send them off with their favorite beverage that will remind them of home? Send soups or favorite cold drinks like iced tea or apple juice so they can have the comforts of home while at school. The MyBevi Canteen is the perfect companion for your little kiddo so they can have all their favorite soups and beverages in their school lunches. It keeps hot and cold liquids at the desired temperature for hours using its superior double-wall construction, which prevents condensation and keeps drinks at the right temperature for longer.

This Travel Canteen has a double vacuum insulated stainless steel interior along a rounded/ square body with four flat sides so your child can easily grip it in one hand and not worry about dropping it. In addition, this sleek canteen is made with BPA-free materials, has a copper coating outside of the inner liner, a patented thread on/off 100% spillproof steel lid, and a tapered body that easily fits into most vehicles.

Available in numerous sizes, including 10 oz and 25 oz, and in various colors & designs, MyBevi is an eco-conscious family-owned business. They focus on environmentally friendly products that your kids will enjoy when they return to middle school, college or work.

SHOP:
MyBevi 25oz. Quatro Canteen | MyBevi 10oz. Quatro Canteen
EXPLORE AND CONNECT:
MyBevi| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Just Shoes for Kids

Back to school means showing off your dino-mite personality with your lunchbox. The SoYoung Green Stegosaurus Lunchbox for Kids is perfect for your young elementary school dinosaur fans, but it’s also just right for the dino-loving high school girl confident with her Jurassic knowledge. The tan linen and cotton lunchbox boasts a mint teal print of a friendly stegosaurus. The machine-washable lunchbox is trimmed in a deep mint teal. It boasts a removable insulated insert for easy cleaning, as well as a detachable 47-inch messenger strap. The lunchbox even features a back pocket for cutlery or notes.

SHOP:
Soyoung Green Stegosaurus Lunchbox for Kids
EXPLORE AND CONNECT:
Just Shoes for Kids | Facebook | Instagram

Lifewit

Packing for lunch, a picnic, or a long day at school has never been easier thanks to the Lifewit Large Lunch Bag. Designed for long-term insulation, this lunch bag will keep food cool or hot for up to five hours. This lunch bag has enough space to hold up to 24 cans of coke or a delicious lunch with multiple side dishes or snacks.

SHOP:
Lifewit Large Lunch Bag
EXPLORE AND CONNECT:
Lifewit | Facebook | Instagram

With parents heading back to work, mornings can be hectic, with everyone trying to rush out the door. Making school lunches won’t be complicated, thanks to this guide. We did all the heavy lifting for you. We’ve got lunch bags that your little elementary kids will love and more roomy lunch totes for college-bound kids. There are also collapsible lunch boxes that are convenient to carry and store. All the details have been considered to make your transition this school year as seamless as possible!

WANT TO READ MORE?

Check out 5 Practical Strategies For Achieving Academic Goals Through Another Tough School Year.

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